Chapter 523 Reunion

The year is over with the sound of firecrackers. Since the beginning of the night, there have been scattered firecrackers in Di'an City. When the hour of Hai is approaching, the firecrackers are almost continuous. The sound of one after another even faintly overshadows the "blessing" given to the people by the emperor some time ago.

The New Year's Eve in Di'an City is full of the flavor of the New Year. Although officials need to stay up for the emperor, the people do not have to.

After the reunion dinner, the residential alleys are bustling. Neighbors and villagers are all familiar with each other. Children run around in groups on the muddy roads in the dim streets. The elders gather together to chat about the past, or play mahjong and mahjong at the table in the courtyard.

Outside these residential alleys, the commercial streets are still prosperous. Rich people in brocade robes stroll in groups in the temple fair market. The shouts, laughter and scolding and the red lights together illuminate the lights of Di'an.

"Swoosh--"

Before the arrival of the hour of Hai, when the atmosphere was at its most heated, a loud roar suddenly resounded over the sky above Di'an.

It was a ball of fire, which slowly climbed up the dark sky from the palace city in the center of Di'an.

The people who saw this scene had no panic in their eyes, but instead put down their work and stopped to look at the slowly rising ball of fire with anticipation and excitement.

Every year on New Year's Eve, the Ministry of Rites would work with the Palace's Silijian to set off New Year's fireworks to celebrate the New Year. Although the end of the year this year was a bit tense, it all happened in the temple and had nothing to do with the people.

This New Year's fireworks rose to a height that ordinary people could not see with their naked eyes under the attention of the crowd.

After a moment of silence,

"Bang--"

The fireball exploded in the dark sky at the hour of Hai exactly, and countless meteors with tail flames scattered in all directions with the explosion, and exploded again during the flight, turning into a sky full of colorful flowers blooming in the dark sky.

In an instant, the colorful fireworks covered most of Di'an, illuminating the sky and the eyes of every citizen of Di'an.

This is the emperor's New Year's greetings to the people of the world.

Watching the fireworks in the sky gradually dissipate, and the crowds kneeling on the street like a tide to worship the palace, Xu Yuan suddenly thought of the resignation that his father handed in tonight.

Two completely unrelated things, but they were inexplicably associated together.

After a little thought, Xu Yuan shook his head gently.

The people's hearts are in the fire, but unfortunately the water that carries the boat in this world is not the people.

This year's New Year's Eve dinner Xu Yuan originally planned to eat at home, but plans cannot keep up with changes. The prince suddenly visited the residence of the left assistant minister of the Ministry of War, that is, the old man Wang Yuqian, and said that he wanted to see his "illegitimate son". Facing the prince, he couldn't let him pretend, so he had to put down his bowl and chopsticks and go to "entertain". As a result, he stayed in the residence of the assistant minister of the Ministry of War until the hour of Hai.

The things that the crown prince Li Yucheng discussed with him tonight were the same as the last time, throwing out an olive branch to recruit him, but the difference was that this time the recruitment was based on the framework of the Xiangguo Mansion.

Because Wang Shicai's identity had already been invested in the Xiangguo Mansion.

The crown prince's private recruitment some time ago had already demonstrated the ability of "Wang Shicai". With this endorsement, the old man Wang Yuqian sent him to the Xiangguo Mansion with good reason, which added a lot of convenience to his entry and exit.

For this matter, the old man Wang Yuqian suffered.

His harem caught fire.

The legitimate sons of noble birth were only in some clean government offices, and an illegitimate son was actually arranged by the master to enter the Xiangguo Mansion. Is this appropriate? Of course not.

The first, second and third rooms were all making trouble.

If it weren't for the fact that the crown prince was in the mansion on New Year's Eve, those women wanted to make things difficult for him, Xu Yuan, and I'm afraid that the old man Wang Yuqian would wet his pants on the spot.

After all, according to the customs of Da Yan, the younger generation must kowtow to the elders.

Watching these infighting dramas in the palace, Xu Yuan somewhat understood how bad the environment Li Zhaoyuan was in in the palace.

Wang Shicai, who was the head of the family, could be bullied like this, not to mention that people could die at any time in the red-walled palace.

Back to the point, the fact that Prince Li Yucheng visited the high-ranking officials of the Prime Minister's Party on New Year's Eve was quite interesting. Last night, his behavior of stopping Li Yunqing was already a token of his loyalty to the Prime Minister's Mansion, and tonight, when the Prime Minister had already submitted his resignation, he still visited the high-ranking officials of the Prime Minister's Party. In a sense, the prince had fully stated his position. When the storm was over, the current prince could be considered half of the Prime Minister's Mansion, the kind of people who could use each other.

While thinking about these trivial matters, a voice with a hint of temptation came into Xu Yuan's ears:

"Third Young Master, it is a sin to let you go out unexpectedly on New Year's Day. I am sorry to make you laugh at my three useless wives."

Xu Yuan looked up and saw that the old man Wang Yuqian was carefully looking at his face.

Every family has its own problems. Xu Yuan has read Wang Yuqian's information. Although this old man has the support of the Prime Minister's Mansion, his three wives are all from big families in Beijing, which can be regarded as a political marriage.

Those families cling to the Prime Minister's Mansion through Wang Yuqian, and the Prime Minister's Mansion also controls those families through Wang Yuqian. Therefore, although Wang Yuqian has a lot of say in the Minister's Mansion, he is not the only one who has the final say.

With a slight smile, Xu Yuan waved his hand gently and continued to look out the window:

"It's okay."

"Hehe."

Wang Yuqian smiled awkwardly, but he didn't mean to stop talking. He continued to ask carefully:

"Third Master, is this the end of the year?"

Well, it turns out that the old man just wanted to find a topic to start.

After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan continued to follow the other party's wit:

"The New Year is not over until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, why are you in such a hurry?"

Wang Yuqian's mind tightened, and he rubbed his hands:

"What about the New Year banquet in the palace on the first day of the first lunar month tomorrow?"

According to common sense, Wang Yucheng, as a third-rank court official, should stay up for the country at the Ministry of War on New Year's Eve today, but today he directly submitted a sick leave case and returned home without waiting for the court's reply.

And Wang Yuqian is not an exception. Tonight, half of the second- and third-rank officials in the court reported sick and returned home without permission.

As for why there was no reply?

It's not because the sick leave procedure is complicated, but because the official who approved the sick leave submitted a resignation and returned to the inner courtyard of the prime minister's residence to celebrate the New Year.

But Xu Yuan was a little cautious about how to reply.

It is not a big deal for these high-ranking officials to return home on New Year's Eve due to illness. It is just a clear attitude. However, if they do not attend the New Year's banquet, this attitude will be magnified, and the situation will easily get out of control.

The game of the brave belongs to.

With a light laugh, Xu Yuan curved his eyes and said softly:

"Minister Wang,

"You are just sick, not retired. "

Returning home tonight, Xu Yuan did not hide his tracks.

The military minister's carriage was parked at the gate of the prime minister's residence, and Xu Yuan entered the courtyard through the side door.

The attitude expressed by the prince tonight needed "Wang Shicai" to be the mouthpiece, and as soon as he entered the door, he saw a big succubus leaning against the gate waiting for him.

As the chief of the Black Scales, Lou Ji was actually a lonely person, especially after killing Granny Long with her own hands that night, she even lost a friend to talk to.

On this New Year's Eve when everyone was reunited, she had no choice but to come to him, her little brother.

However, after some joking and teasing, the big succubus did not force him to stay with her to spend the night, and took Xu Yuan to the inner courtyard. At the door, after giving her a hug, she left quietly.

After many twists and turns, when Xu Yuan returned to the inner courtyard, it was almost midnight.

Walking along the alley of the inner courtyard, Xu Yuan pushed open the open door of the main courtyard and saw a warm scene like an ordinary family.

It was pitch black outside, but the main hall was still brightly lit, and three figures were doing their own things in the lights.

Xu Xinyao, wearing a festive red dress, half-lying on the table, holding her white cheeks with one hand, drooping her long and dense eyelashes, and feeling a little drowsy.

Doraemon also made great efforts in the research on Emperor Sean's body. In addition, it would take several more days to study the soul ring that stored the demons. No rest.

Feng Jiuxuan was still dressed in white clothes, sitting aside with a calm face and eyes closed, with the broken sword Qingyuan on the table in front of him.

Dad Xu Yinhe sat in the main seat, holding a scroll with a calm demeanor and quietly browsing through it. In front of him was a porcelain cup, which was emitting bursts of hot air, and next to the tea cup was a chessboard, which was black and white, but the book in his hand was obviously empty.

Xu Yuan's lips curled up with a smile,

Although the temple is high, there is also family affection.

They are all waiting for him.

As he walked slowly forward, Xu Yuan extended his spiritual vision to glance at the chessboard on the board, and a subconscious flash of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Xu Yuan knew a little about Go. , but it is limited to being able to understand.

The chess game on the table does not seem to be played by the old man himself, because the black chess pieces are a one-sided massacre against the white chess pieces. The white chess pieces are directly hit at the beginning. In just a hundred moves, the black chess pieces have slaughtered the white chess pieces' dragon, and there are not even two live chess pieces in the whole board. It is too bloody to watch.

"Puff"

A light laugh spread in the silent courtyard. When Xu Yuan was wondering whether Xu Changge's king was slaughtered, Feng Jiuxuan, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly glanced at him sideways with a calm look.

"." Xu Yuan.

"." Feng Jiuxuan.

There was a moment of silence.

Xu Yinhe, who was sitting on the main seat, slowly put down the file in his hand, raised his eyes and looked at the three sons in the yard, and said:

"You are all back, why are you still standing in the yard? "

"."

Xu Yuan blinked and continued to walk into the house.

It's New Year's Day today, and you, as his uncle, can't beat him for such a small matter.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan suddenly understood, and asked with a smile:

"Father, you are a little lenient in your self-playing chess. Look at what the black pieces have done to the white pieces. Your level is too poor. Next time you are bored, I will accompany you. "

"."

Xu Yinhe was silent for a moment after hearing this, and glanced at Feng Jiuxuan beside him with a slight smile.

Seeing this, Feng Jiuxuan's thin lips also had a faint smile, and whispered:

"Zi Shi is coming soon. If you are late, the New Year's Eve dinner at home can wait until next year."

In the previous life, Zi Shi was from 11 pm to 1 am, but in Dayan Zi Shi, it was the boundary of a day.

Stepping into the main hall, the drowsy girl lying on the table also raised her eyes and said with a smile:

"Third brother, you are back. "

Xu Yuan passed by her, rubbed her soft long hair, then sat down beside her and asked in a low voice:

"Xu Changge, where is the eldest brother?"

He didn't see Xu Changge when he came back. According to common sense, the father would not arrange for his family to go out on missions on New Year's Eve.

Xu Xinyao perked up and blinked, subconsciously looking at the empty seat beside her, with a hint of surprise in her eyes, blinking her beautiful eyes, slightly puzzled:

"Big brother was here just now"

Xu Yuan reacted quickly after hearing this, and subconsciously glanced in the direction of the kitchen:

"Hehe, probably sensed that I was back, and ran to cook in advance, um. I'll go to the kitchen to take a look."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan stood up again before he could even sit down.

Xu Xinyao also stood up after seeing this, and said with a smile:

"Then Xinyao will go and help too."

"Come on, do you want to blow up the kitchen?"

"Xinyao also learned some cooking skills when she was traveling."

"That's fine, we have two saints in our family, one is Yuanchu, and the food you cook should not be deadly."

"Brother! What are you talking about!" Xu Xinyao said with a hint of anger.

As he spoke, Xu Xinyao jumped and followed Xu Yuan, talking and laughing, and walked out of the main hall.

After a brief bustle, the warmly lit main hall returned to silence.

"."

Looking at the two children's backs as they left, Xu Yinhe's deep eyes showed a loving smile, but the smile only lasted for a moment before fading away again.

Originally, today would have been even more lively

"Since you've chosen this path, go on."

A calm voice came from the side, and Xu Yinhe glanced at Feng Jiuxuan in response.

Feng Jiuxuan lowered his eyes and looked at the broken sword in front of him, and said softly:

"Qian'er is dead, Chang'an is also dead. Even for them, you Xu Yinhe must finish this journey."

Xu Yinhe responded calmly:

"I just don't want to see this room become more deserted."

"Then do everything to the extreme."

"Oh, don't worry about this matter."

After Xu Yinhe finished speaking, he asked in a low voice:

"Aren't you going to the Black Prison tonight to see your old man?"

"."

After a moment of silence, Feng Jiuxuan shook his head gently:

"Why see him? Family affection is not worth mentioning to him."

Xu Yinhe looked at Feng Jiuxuan deeply:

"When you lose everything, people will change."

"."

Feng Jiuxuan lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment. Before he spoke, he heard a sound of chaos coming from the kitchen.

"Get out! Who let you in?"

"Hey, I came here to help."

"Did I say I needed help? Changtian, don't make me repeat it a second time."

"Third brother, eldest brother, stop arguing."

"Tsk, Xu Changge, are you fucking sick? Today is New Year's Day. Try to move me and see if your father will beat you. If your father doesn't, your uncle will."

"Oh?"

"Hey, hey! Wait a minute, Xu Changge, put down the knife first."

"."

"."

Listening to the noise coming from the other side, the two middle-aged men in the hall looked at each other and saw a smile in each other's eyes.